Fresh Start: Podcast News (2/20/2019 Wed.)
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Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People's Daily app.

Here are today's picks from our editors. 

No. 1 central document prioritizes agricultural, rural development

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Agriculture, rural areas and farmer's issues remain China's top priorities for the 16th consecutive year as its "No. 1 central document" prioritizes development of agriculture and rural areas.

The document, the first policy statement released by central authorities each year and seen as an indicator of policy priorities, was made public Tuesday by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council.

Work must be done to deepen agricultural supply-side structural reform, win the tough battle against poverty, give full play to the key role of rural primary-level Party organizations, and push forward rural vitalization in all respects, according to the document.

In doing so, the country will ensure the fulfillment of goals and tasks for rural reform and development by 2020, it added.

Existent policies will be fully implemented to ensure the country's poverty elimination targets being realized - to lift all its rural residents living below current poverty line out of poverty and eliminate poverty in all poor counties and regions by 2020, according to the document. (Xinhua) 

China to include more medicines in medical insurance reimbursement

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The government will allow inclusion of more medicines for serious diseases in the list of medical insurance reimbursement, said a senior health official Tuesday.

Seventeen types of cancer medicines were included on China's medical insurance reimbursement list last year, with their payment standards 56.7 percent lower than their retail prices on average.

By the end of last year, Chinese hospitals and pharmacies purchased 1.84 million doses of cancer medicines at the lower prices reached by the government with suppliers, according to Xiong Xianjun, a senior official with the National Healthcare Security Administration. (Xinhua) 

Moon, Trump hold phone talks over 2nd DPRK-US summit

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South Korean President Moon Jae-in said in his phone calls with US President Donald Trump Tuesday night that his country is ready to assume any role for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The leaders discussed ways to cooperate for the success of the upcoming second summit between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States.

During the phone talks, Trump explained to Moon preparations for the second DPRK-US summit and consultations between Washington and Pyongyang, expressing his anticipation for the Hanoi summit with the DPRK leader. (Xinhua) 

Sen. Bernie Sanders says he's running for US president in 2020

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Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders says he's running for president in 2020.

The 77-year-old self-described democratic socialist challenged Hillary Clinton in the Democratic presidential primary in 2016 and told Vermont Public Radio on Tuesday that he planned to again seek the nomination.

Sanders has reshaped Democratic politics and earned a loyal following with his passionate defense of liberal proposals including free college tuition and single-payer health care. But he will face off against several other Democratic candidates who also want to appeal to the party's base. (AP) 

China remains Germany's most important trading partner

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China remained Germany's most important trading partner for the third consecutive year with a total trade volume of €199.3 billion ($225.7 billion) in 2018, according to preliminary figures published on Monday by the German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).

China accounted for the largest share of imports into Germany with goods worth €106.2 billion, followed by the Netherlands with €98.2 billion and France with €65.2 billion.

The top customer for German goods was the United States with a volume of €113.5 billion. Placed second and third, respectively, were France (€105.3 billion) and China (€93.1 billion). (Xinhua) 

Pilot reform removes permit for corporate bank account

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Companies in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces in east China no longer have to ask for official approval when opening bank accounts starting Feb. 25, as China continues reforms to improve its business environment.

Pilot reform to the effect was tried in two cities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang last year, and the People's Bank of China (PBC) said Tuesday it will now expand the reform to the whole of the two provinces.

The reform is expected to cut the average time for opening a corporate account from about four days to just one to two days. (Xinhua) 

Russia lifts state of emergency following polar bear invasion

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A 10-day state of emergency imposed on the Arctic Novaya Zemlya Archipelago in Russia over an invasion of polar bears has been lifted, the press office of the governor of the Region said Tuesday.

It said that one of the reasons for the invasion was the presence of a household waste deposit near the settlement of Belushya Guba, which attracted polar bears in search of food.

The regional government has decided to burn the waste in a certified incinerator plant. (Xinhua) 

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

Which word is used to describe a very thin moustache?

(Answer: Pencil.)

Today's quote is from French novelist Emile Zola (1840-1902).

"The truth is on the march and nothing will stop it."

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Brian Lowe, and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)